Tag Archives: Delvin Farms

Charlie Hatcher of Hatcher Family Dairy helping a young Mom with some milk to her vehicle

It all adds up – sunshine plus good fresh farm food equals happy people. For proof of that theory, all you needed to do was come to the farmers market this past Saturday. Everyone was in a good mood. There were plenty of yummy fresh veggies, such as beets and squash. Maple syrup was another favorite and everyone was looking for those blue eggs. And there were big smiles all over the place. Of course, eating sweet doughnuts or munching on muffins while roaming the market played a role in keeping those smiles coming, but we think the bright sunshine and warm temperatures were a big part of it too.

Fresh made muffins from Lucy’s kitchen

Fresh winter squash from Kirkview Farm

Tennessee Maple Syrup from Pilgrims produce

Fresh made crepes from Crepe A Diem

The Lee clan from Triple L Ranch was out in full force on Saturday

LeeAnn of Bear Creek helping some customers with their Tennessee Beef selection

Beaverdam Creek Farm CSA program is in full swing!

During the day, someone asked us about three little letters that are popping up now in the farm booths all over the market. Those three letters are C-S-A, which is the nickname for community supported agriculture. A CSA gives you a weekly share of whatever the farm has harvested all through the growing season and now is the time to sign up for a CSA. Many of the farmers at the market, such as Delvin Farms, Beaverdam Creek Farm and West Wind Farms have CSA programs. Next time you’re at the market, ask your favorite farmer if a CSA is available to get the best in fresh food straight from their farm every week.

A young market customer taking a picture of a custom home from Miniatures by Phillip

Peaceful Pastures farm made soaps

Farm Fresh Goat Cheese from Noble Springs Dairy

Taking home some barn wood signs from Tom the Furniture Guy

Our new Corporate Sponsor for 2014, owner Greg Brown of Ford Lincoln of Franklin with LIsa, Deb and Hank Sr of Delvin Farms

And finally, we welcomed a new member to the market family last Saturday. We’re happy to announce that Ford Lincoln of Franklin is a sponsor of the Franklin Farmers Market. The market is a 501 c 5 non-profit agricultural organization and with sponsors such as Ford Lincoln of Franklin, we are able to help local farms to keep growing. Our thanks to Ford Lincoln of Franklin for their support – Welcome to the FFM family!

Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market was windy and chilly; Sunday was sunny and very pleasant and today we’re back to shivering and freezing. At least the weather hasn’t kept our farmers from growing tasty winter vegetables for you.

We saw a lot of people taking home goodies like cabbage and carrots, beets and winter squash from such farms as Delvin Farms, Paradise Produce and Kirkview Farm.

Delvin Farm organic cabagges

Paradise Produce winter greens, carrots and beets

Flying S Farm Supper Bowl Cookies…Place you order now!

And many of you are already thinking Super Bowl Sunday snacks. There were plenty of folks stopping to sample the tasty goodies from BB’s Gourmet Pretzels which are perfect for munching in front of the TV. And did you see Flying S Farms’ Super Bowl cookies? Too cool!

Goat cheese from Noble Springs Dairy is also a good choice to make delicious snacks for football days.

Of course, when the weather is cold like it has been this month, there are some delicious ways to stay warm at market.

There are the hot delicious biscuit sandwiches from Biscuit Love, sweet warm treats from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts and the absolute best homemade rolls with Triple L Sausage patties from Jones Mill Farms.

Muffins and cinnamon rolls from Lucy’s Kitchen

Home baked cookies from Flying S Farm

Fresh made Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts

Hand knitted Alpaca Fleece garments from Legacy Acres

But the other big hit at the market this past Saturday had nothing to do with food. Legacy Acres Alpaca Farm booth was the place to be. Alpaca fleece is very soft and extremely warm. All the hats,gloves, scarves and other Alpaca goodies from Legacy Acres can make a chilly day downright pleasant.

All in all, this January is the coldest we’ve had in a long time but that hasn’t stopped the smiles at the market every Saturday. Take a look at the market’s photo gallery and see if we caught you or someone you know smiling at the market. Our thanks to you for coming out on chilly days to the FFM and supporting Tennessee farmers!

It was a cold and windy day, but that didn’t bother us at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday. Okay, that’s not quite true because it was really chilly, but it certainly didn’t keep our farmers from bringing you the best in winter vegetables, like carrots, squash and potatoes.

Winter greens from Paradise Produce

Carrots, collards, cabbage and potatoes from Kirkview Farm

Fresh organic cabbage from Delvin Farm

Tennessee farm grown lettuces from Norton Family Farm

Tennessee families picking up farm fresh produce

And even though it was a cold day, there was plenty at the market to warm you up. Lots of folks were munching warm treats from Ellie’s Old Fashion Donuts or enjoying one of Jones Mill Farms’ hot homemade rolls with Triple L Sausage.

And there were lots of veggies that people were taking home to create their own warm comfort food. For example, fresh carrots from Paradise Produce, along with cabbage from Delvin Farms were being bought to make homemade soup. You can view pictures from Saturday’s market here.

Just picked Carrots, Kale, lettuces and spinach from Paradise Produce

Fresh beets from Paradise Produce

Those who didn’t want to make their own took a delicious shortcut and took home some of Flying S Farms yummy soups. There’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot grits to warm you up and bags of Beaverdam Creek Farm’s stone-ground grits were being snatched up in a hurry. So yes, it was cold and windy, but the trip to the market was worth it to load up ongood food for chilly winter weather.

It’s a new year and with it comes a few reminders from the market – First, winter market hours have changed. The winter market is now open from 9am – noon and will remain that way until spring. Second, the “no dogs at the market” rule is now in effect, so please leave your pets at home. And third, don’t forget to vote for the best name for the little calf at Triple L Ranch. You can get the complete story on the calf and vote for his name by clicking here.

Finally, it is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of our own at the market. Ed Johnson, the patriarch of Johnson’s Honey Farm passed away this weekend. Having the best honey in Tennessee was a passion of Mr. Johnson’s and it showed in the honey his bees produced. Bees have been a part of Mr. Johnson’s farm since 1918, making Paula Morton, his daughter and familiar figure at the market a 3rd generation beekeeper. Our hearts, prayers and sympathies go out to the Johnson family.

Ed Johnson of Johnson’s Honey Farm will be missed by the entire state of Tennessee and beyond, including farmers from all over the world. His family will continue his legacy.

What happen to the sunshine and 60-something degree weather that was forecast? No matter, we still had good food at the market last Saturday. Broccoli and winter greens; carrots, radishes, turnips and lettuce were plentiful. We even came across a few cherry tomatoes from Delvin Farms.

Lucy’s Kitchen and Jones Mill Farm had delicious varieties of soups and great fresh breads… the perfect winter supper!

More Homemade Soups from Jones Mill Farm

Fresh Baked Breads from Jones Mill Farm

Homemade Soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

Farm Meats from River Cottage Farm

Triple L Ranch provides local farm Beef, Chicken and Sausages right off the farm.

Check the calendar. It won’t be long for before the holidays arrive and you know what that means… lots of yummy sweets! One of the biggest hits at the market Saturday was Noble Springs Farm’s new goat cheese fudge. That’s right… goat cheese fudge and boy, is it sweet and rich with chocolate. It was a full house at the market. Besides all of the farms, there were quite a few artisans with unique crafts that would make the perfect Christmas gift.

Great tasting Fudge made with Goat Milk from Noble Springs Dairy

Many different varieties of Goat Cheese from Noble Springs Dairy

Sweet little dogs!

A lot of people were stopping at the info booth to let us know what they thought about having dogs at the market. Hundreds of you have filled out the dog survey form or emailed your opinions on whether dogs should be allowed or banned at the market. One of the biggest complaints about having dogs at the market is about sanitary concerns, while others say they’ve never seen any dogs relieving themselves in the market. Unfortunately, we found out first hand on Saturday that it does happen. While a customer was at the market info booth filling out the survey form, her dog decided it was a good place to potty! We love dogs, but there are some issues with having them at market. How can we solve them? You’ve got until November 30th to tell us whether dogs should be allowed or banned from the market and give us your ideas of what else could be done. Either stop by the market booth to fill out the survey or send an email to lisa@franklinfarmersmarket.com and let us know what you think. A decision on the dogs will be announced the first week of December.

And we also had a lot of people asking this past Saturday about the blanket, coat and winter clothing drive that will be taking place at the market soon. The Franklin Farmers Market is happy to be a part of the “Love Will Keep Us Warm” charity drive to help those in need stay warm this winter. You can drop off your donation of gently used or new blankets, sweaters, coats, hats and more at the market on November 30th or on December 7th . If you are unable to bring your donation to the market on those dates, you can visit other drop off locations on different dates in Rutherford and Williamson Counties. For more information, email dottie@mixtapeanthology.com or norabp78@yahoo.com . Share the warmth!

You can visit pictures from this past Saturday’s market by clicking here. So much beautiful produce in the market now!

Enjoying Community at the Franklin Farmers Market is a Traditional Family Activity for many local Tennessee Families

One, two, three….spit! Who knew that spitting seeds could be an athletic event? That’s what happened at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday at the 2nd annual Watermelon Festival. Contestants lined up to show off their spitting ability with watermelon seeds and claim the coveted Seed-Spitting Championship title. The winner was Casey Walker, who put the kids to shame with her athletic spitting ability. However, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place contestants were winners too.

The winners took home sweet juicy watermelons

All of them went home with a delicious sweet watermelon. Watermelon was definitely the star of the market, with delicious watermelon slices to munch on while walking around the market.

A big crowd at the Watermelon Festival!

As we’ve said before, it’s the high season at the market, with summer produce at its peak. Lots of people walking around with big bags filled with peppers and tomatoes; lettuce, potatoes, onions, corn, purple hull peas and much more.

Tasty, ripe bell peppers at the market

Sweet corn from the King Family Farm

And it was a record-setting hot August day for the Franklin Farmers Market too. Over 3,000 people came to the market’s Watermelon Festival! We are very grateful for your support of local farms and local food.

Local artisan Tom The Furniture Guy shows his wares

There is always music at the Franklin Farmers Market

Munching on yummy treats from Ellie’s Doughnuts

Watermelon seed bean bag toss at the festival

How fast can you eat a watermelon slice without using your hands?

The highlight of the day though was the fastest watermelon eating contest. Contestants quickly munched and slurped down watermelon slices with their hands behind their back.

Max wins the top prize

It was a very close call, but in the end, Max Atlas took home the championship along with his first place winnings – a big CSA box of produce from Delvin Farms, honey from Johnson’s Honey Farm, sweet preserves from the Norton Family Farm, chess pie from Geraldine’s Pies, fresh yummy doughnuts from Ellie’s Doughnuts, a bar of goat soap from Tottys Bend Goat Farm and of course, a delicious watermelon!

First place winner Max and his brothers hold up the contest prizes

And if you were at the market for the watermelon festival, you may now be a star on the market website! Click here and check out the photos of market day fun in our photo gallery. Lots of photos snapped, lots of smiling faces. Proof that when all was said and done, it was a great day at the Franklin Farmers Market for everyone!

It was the first sweet bite of spring and boy, did everyone enjoy it! The 2nd annual Franklin Farmers Market Strawberry Festival was great fun for everyone this past Saturday with games and music, the Barnyard Petting Zoo and of course, lots and lots of delicious fresh Tennessee strawberries.

Delvin Farms Strawberries 1st Place Winner

Whole Foods Serving up Hatcher Dairy Farm Gelato

A record number of mouthwatering homemade strawberry shortcakes were sold. These festival favorites were made by Norton Family Farm and topped with sweet berries from the farms of the market and whipped cream from the Hatcher Family Dairy. Our thanks to everyone who bought a shortcake and supported the market. All proceeds from the shortcakes help to support the Franklin Farmers Market’s special projects, such as the Growing Kids Educational Garden program. And the delicious strawberry gelato from Whole Foods Market also sold out quickly, with proceeds again going to the Franklin Farmers Market operational fund. Our thanks to Whole Foods Market for being the presenting sponsor of this year’s festival.

Record Number of Strawberry Shortcakes Sold

Record Crowd Gobbles up Farm Fresh Strawberries

And congratulations to Delvin Farms for winning the contest for the best-tasting strawberries at the festival. Their sweet Chandler variety strawberries were favorites with judges Richard Herrington, President and CEO of Franklin Synergy Bank; Marilyn Lehew, co-founder of The Factory and Stoveworks Restaurant; Chef Chuck While, Personal Chef and co-author of the cookbook, “If It Makes You Healthy” with artist Sheryl Crow and Erika Kurre, Fox 17 Weekend News Anchor. The judges also chose Noble Springs Farm’s booth as the “Strawberriest” with its decorations, while Alfresco Pasta and Beaverdam Creek Farm came in 2nd and 3rd place. All in all, it was a berry fun day!

Did you get to see the Hatcher Family on the NBC Today Show yesterday morning? If you missed Al Roker of the Today Show broadcasting from the Hatcher Family Dairy Farm in College Grove, Tennessee, here are a few links to coverage of the show broadcast from the Hatcher Family Dairy. What great weather for a special NBC Today Show segment with Al Roker direct from the Hatcher Family Farm!

Charlie Hatcher told me last week how excited they were that Sharon had entered a contest called “Wake Up With Al” 2 weeks ago. After entering Hatcher Family Dairy online into the “Wake Up With Al” contest Sharon Hatcher received a phone call within a few hours asking them to be available for an interview. From there, Charlie says it all happened so fast. Congrats to the Hatcher Family on representing Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Farmers so well! We are all so proud to have Hatcher Family Dairy as part of the Franklin Farmers Market!